Wincanton Races

Those familiar with the United Kingdom’s love of equestrian sports will certainly know that all over the country are many courses where people can lay bets and don their most avant-garde millinery, but among the courses Great Britain offers its many sporting fans, Wincanton Races are something individual and rare.

For many there is specific view of Britain which is furnished with notions of Champagne and formal attire, perhaps with a generous portion of posh turns of phrases thrown in for good measure, or ‘furlong’ if you’ll pardon the expression, but for others it’s a country of ales and pies.

At Wincanton Races there is bit of both, a bit of high-fashion sophistication mixed in with hearty does of homemade ale and pie passion. Most of the courses in the United Kingdom have long ago capitulated to the experience of horseracing which takes place on the flat. Fortunately, this marvellous, charming racecourse is carrying the torch for steeplechases. The course has been voted the Best Small Racecourse in the South West of Britain a total of 18 times out of 19 years.

There is rich sense that the Best of British is alive and well at Wincanton Races, where National Hunt Racing is the order of the day, where fixtures run from October through to May, so there’s the added enticement of being open when many racecourses are waiting for Spring.

The racing calendar typically includes 17 fixtures, which average about 2 every month for the period. These are jump events of the highest standard, although those who would truly like to engage in a little bit of curious British racing will also be able to lay bets on terrier and ferret events. That’s right, if you feel you’re more able to judge the winning potential of a dog or ferret, then you can lay a wager on you favourite furry creature and enjoy another side to the curious heritage of Somerset’s racing heritage, and, of course, there is no small about of fun and charm involved.

Of the 17 fixtures which fill the course’s calendar, eight fall on either the weekend or on bank holidays, and these have been specifically realized to allow for a festive, fun-filled friend or family outing. The sort of day where you might be enticed to lay a nominal bet on one or two of the main events, but certainly don’t have to have a good time.

Families are most welcome at Wincanton Races, which is evident in the ‘no charge for anyone under 17’ policy on the weekend and bank holiday fixture days. This is when you’ll find a dedicated kids’ entertainment area, which includes a crèche area for those between the ages of 3 and 8.

But with all the fun-filled family-oriented activity, don’t be misled into thinking it is easily likened to an amusement park.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact that it is a small, award-winning racecourse, allows for a distilled charm and a more personalized service and style, all amounting to unrivalled class and sophistication. One of the trademark attractions of this remarkable, curious and historical racecourse is the exceptional food.

There are many options for hungry diners. The Seemore Business Bar specializes in delicious, succulent seafood, often with dishes which have a specifically English bent. Where better to enjoy the unique excitement of a steeplechase than from the elegant interior of a restaurant which takes pride in preparing such authentic delights as Hot Fish Soup and Fish Pie. The Stalbridge Bar offers food which might be thought of as the nourishing staples of the area and England itself. Enjoy a pasty with a homemade pint of ale, and experience the thrill of your horse thundering towards the last obstacle just as those who lived in the 19th century might have, perhaps not far from where you sit.

Those looking for the full culinary treatment, perhaps the way a local Lord of the Manor might have expected it, can head to The Winning Post restaurant. As the name suggests, the eatery boasts spectacular views of the finishing post and supplies refined elegance and sophistication in abundance. Alternatively, The Kingwell Restaurant is to be found between the parade ring and the racecourse, and can accommodate larger numbers of diners. The fixed menus are filled with treats for the discerning diner.

Although the course doesn’t boast the size and amenities of some of the bigger racecourses in Britain, it offers something which they do not; it offers charm and personalized service of the highest standards. All business clients will find they are treated as special and welcome, all the while on the receiving end of a warm South West England smile.

Conferencing, banqueting and catering facilities are versatile and range from venues for small meetings to larger events of up to a around 200. With the marvellous setting, experienced hospitality staff and more free parking than you’re likely to need, the charms of Wincanton Races as a location for your special event are unequalled; be it business related or a social event of the most important variety, .

If you’re planning on doing a little more than heading off to the parade ring and placing a bet or two on your preferred ferret or thoroughbred, then you might consider one of the many packages which have been created with various needs in mind. From the exclusivity of a private box, to the unmitigated pleasure of having your personal event catered, there is something for the special wedding reception, just as there is something for an upmarket business event.

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